By Brian Canty
Chris Reilly (Bohermeen CC) has claimed a brilliant victory in the Black Rose GP held in Menlough in Co Galway, today, Sunday, soloing to victory after attacking out of a five-man break and gaining 23 seconds by the finish.
Reilly, a veteran of the Irish domestic racing scene, started the race five minutes behind the category 4 riders but succeeded in bridging that gap with the 20 or so other category one riders he started with.
The race was 80 kilometres in length - four 16km laps followed by two 8km stretches.
At the beginning it looked as though the A1 riders were going to have a hard time overhauling the limit men in the A4 group. After the first lap the A4s still had a gap of four minutes, having begun the race with an advantage of five minutes over the A1s; with the A2 and A3 riders in between.
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But that gap soon began to dwindle. And on the second lap, with the A1's merging with the A2's and picking up the speed, it soon became clear the 114 rider field – twice as many as signed on for the same race last year – was going to come together fairly early. It was day of excellent racing conditions, with some very strong riders making sure it regrouped.
Blarney's Eddie Barry made the long journey up, as did Stephen Halpin (Metaltek-Scott), Robin Kelly (Waterford Racing CC), Jarlath Hassett (west Clare CC), Art MacManusa (South Dublin CC), Anthony Walsh (UCD), and Con Collis (UCD).
Just 25kms into the race, the field came together. And as soon as it did Reilly, Mick Storan (West Clare CC), Art MacManusa (South Dublin), Craig Sweetman (Stamullen M. Donnelly) and Robin Kelly (Waterford Racing CC) pulled clear and opened up a hefty lead on the chasers.
The lap featured one steep climb which succeeded in fragmenting each group as soon as the scratch group brought it all back together.
The racing continued unabated and with the quintet away for over two laps, it looked like they were safe. But with just four kilometres to go, Reilly sensed the chase group that formed behind would close them down and he jumped away, with nobody able to match his blistering pace.
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And in an impressive show of strength, he pulled out 23 seconds on those behind him by the finishing line.
Navan's John Kenny won the sprint for second with Eoghan Considine of the host club next.
Results
1. Chris Reilly (Bohermeen CC)
2. John Kenny (Navan RC)
3. Eoghan Considine (Black Rose Racing)
4. Derek Joyce (Galway Bay)
5. Garry Gorman (Stamullen)
6. Brian martin (Seven Springs)
Unplaced A2
1. Aidan Collins (Orwell)
2. Eric Downey (Orwell)
3. JJ Flaherty (Western Lakes)
Unplaced A3
1. Donal Kelly (Galway Bay)
2. Paul Doyle (Fermoy)
3. Ciaran Mc Kenna (Emerald)
Unplaced A4
1. Martin Vereker (St. Tiernans)
2. Aidan Kelly (Garda)
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